Deputies: Man damages church trying to steal scrap metal

A man
accused of breaking into a church and causing a couple thousand dollars worth
of damage remains behind bars on multiple charges.

The East
Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office reported Huey Sonnier, 42, of Baton Rouge,
was arrested for allegedly breaking into Community Bible Church on Mohican
Street Wednesday. Investigators said the suspect caused about $2,000 worth of
damage to the church, which hasn't been used lately due to water damage from a
ruptured pipe.

According to
the probable cause report, deputies on patrol happened to be walking around the
church and saw someone inside knocking down ceiling tiles and pulling down
cables. They believe the suspect broke into the church through the back door,
which is how they also got inside.

The report
states the deputies found three bags filled with cut electrical wires and
tools. The bags were in one of the back rooms of the church. Investigators said
they walked into the main worship area of the church and reportedly again saw
Sonnier pulling on wires that were in the ceiling and knocking down ceiling tiles.

The report
added Sonnier allegedly told deputies he was not working for the church when
they asked him about it. He reportedly also told them he was taking scrap metal
from the church to help provide for his family.

EBRSO said
custodians were contacted to examine the damage and estimated it at about
$2,000.

Sonnier was
booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of simple burglary of
a religious building, criminal damage to property and theft. The first two
charges are felonies.